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Apple Store SoHo: Hugh “Fancy” Dancy

I promised myself that I’d never let an Apple Store Soho event catch me off-guard again — or worse, pass me by. So I’ve been checking their schedule religiously. And lo and behold, about three days before the event itself, I spot a Hugh Dancy on their event calendar. In his ‘Hannibal’ mask. I nearly peed myself with excitement.

I was lucky enough to have attended the event that they had with Mads Mikkelsen and Thomas Vinterberg for Jagten (The Hunt), which was packed with (mostly ‘Hannibal’) fans. Hugh’s event was decidedly smaller. But I didn’t care. I was in the first row, people, with Frenchie and my best friend… just a few feet away from Mr. Dancy’s adorable red-socked feet.

He was incredibly articulate and funny as hell. And I was impressed: he commanded the interview in a way that I hadn’t seen before, at one point guiding the Apple staff to play one particular clip instead of another that they had synced up. He was clearly excited to be there and excited to talk about his character. He even pointed out someone in the audience with a flower crown (“I see a flower crown, hello!”), and seemed decidedly pleased by it. He has a thousand and one facial expressions, and he’s even more attractive in person than in photos or in television. That accent is divine. Lighthearted and very, very polite. But I’ll come back to that later.

I got to ask him a question about Will Graham and if it’s taught him anything about mental health. At least, I THINK that’s what I asked. Honestly, I can’t remember what it was, let alone what the answer was, because he spent the next two minutes looking DIRECTLY INTO MY EYES as he answered. Didn’t look away. Not for one second. I remember nodding and smiling but I was dying inside, not listening. I’m patiently waiting for Apple to release the video of the event to jar my memory.

Now, the main event.

We scrambled out of the Apple Store and tried to find the back door. We did. It was just the three of us and one other fellow. Apple employees came out, by the ones and two, and we waited. And waited.

Finally, a glimmer of Mr. Dancy as he left. He was halfway down the street until I mustered up the strength to squeak out his name.

Huuuugh?

He turned around and WALKED BACK TO US and asked us how he could help us. Oh, what a loaded question. We asked for pictures and he happily obliged, putting his arm around us. We died. He was so polite and friendly — best celebrity experience EVER. Hugh Dancy, you’ve reached perfect gentleman status in my heart.

(Frenchie: IN CONCLUSION, WE GOT TO TOUCH “THE FANCY” AND WE’RE STILL SCREAMING ABOUT IT.)